Jackie Collins Dies of Breast Cancer at Age 77

Jacqueline "Jackie" Collins, author of more than 30 books and a beloved figure in the literary world, has passed away at age 77, People Magazine is reporting.

A statement provided to People by the Collins family says, "It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today."

"She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers, who she has been entertaining for over four decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters, but already miss her beyond words," the statement continues.

Collins in 1963

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The younger sister of actress Joan Collins, Jackie was born in London in 1937 and has authored 32 novels over the course of nearly 50 years — all of which have been best sellers. Her last book, Confessions of a Wild Child, was published in 2013. In 2009, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and has mostly kept the details of her illness to herself, reports People.

"Looking back, I'm not sorry about anything I did," she told the magazine in a recent interview. "I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say. I've written five books since the diagnosis, I've lived my life, I've travelled all over the world, I have not turned down book tours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it."

Private services will be held at a to-be-determined date, and the Collins family asks that donations be sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization (in the U.S.) and Penny Brohn Cancer Care (in the U.K.) in her honor.